Damn Hardy...

The only reason I actually read another Hardy novel was because it was a set book for my English class this year.

This one wasn't quite as bad as Tess of the d'Urbervilles, but it was still bad. Thomas Hardy didn't even enjoy writing, he just did it for the money. And of course serialized books could bring in more money if they continue. The result is a drawn out story with twists fit for a soap opera (and not in a good way). Hardy also has a habit of writing what the character could have done to make everything turn out alright, but of course didn't and mishap after mishap occured. This just got on my nerves.

At least in this book I felt at least some sympathy for one of the characters. The daughter, Elizabeth-Jane, is passed back and forth all the time and never really has any control over her own life. The Scottish character started off alright but he deteriorated in my view after a while.

It took me ages to get through this and it really wasn't worth it.

3/10